Conservation Hut to Empress Falls

For those that like waterfalls, this is a fantastic walk. The walk has some very steep sections, down and back up to Conservation Hut. However, the steep climbs are worth it for the stunning waterfalls and magnificent canyon experience.

Conservation Hut

Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B’s. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827. More info.

Moderate track

From Conservation Hut, this walk follows the ‘Valley of the Waters’ sign down some timber and dirt steps passing a couple of picnic shelters. The track soon leads to the signposted intersection with the ‘Short Cut Track’ (still in view of the Conservation Hut).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Valley of the Waters’ sign down the steps, passing an information sign. After the handrail and more signs, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the left, leading to an old picnic area). Further down the steps, the walk comes the end of another handrail and a three-way intersection (signposted ‘Overcliff Track’ and ‘National Pass’).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Valley of the Waters’ sign down the timber steps. The track passes a few faint tracks (on the left, that lead to an unfenced view point). The walk continues down the steps, soon coming to an unsignposted intersection with the Lyrebird Cliff track (on a small sandstone rock platform).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the wooden steps to almost immediately come to the signposted intersection with ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ track.

Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ sign down the steps towards the handrail. Soon the track passes a small lookout on the left and, shortly afterwards, the fence leads to the rock platform and fenced ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Queen Victoria Lookout

The Queen Victoria Lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, south-west of Conservation Hut. The fenced lookout has views into the narrow section of the valley. The views are made more dramatic by the roar of the waterfalls below and the mists which frequent the area. Empress Falls are only just visible – the main views extend down Jamison Valley. Kings Tableland (left) and Sublime Point(right) dominate the views and the eastern edge of Mount Solitary and beyond is also visible.

Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps away from ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ keeping the rock face to the right. The track soon passes under a sandstone overhang and then down more steps to come to the fenced and signposted ‘Empress Lookout’.

Empress Lookout

Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters.

(0.38km) Empress Lookout → Empress Falls Crossing

180 m

6 mins

16m

-34m

Hard track

Turn right: From Empress Lookout, this walk heads down the wooden steps, keeping the handrail and valley to the left. Soon the walk heads downs a series of steep metal staircases that zigzag down the hill. At the bottom of the staircases, the walk follows the handrail through a long sandstone overhang. The track then heads down some steps to come to an intersection with the ‘Nature Track’ and a sign pointing back to ‘National Pass – Tea Rooms’.Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Valley of the Waters’ sign down the lower track (with the valley initially to the right). The walk heads down the steps following the handrail and, soon after the sharp right bend, the walk crosses Isabel Creek using the stepping stones. Soon, the walk heads down a timber staircase, through a sandstone overhang and winds down the stone steps. After passing a great view of Empress Falls, the track crosses the Valley of the Waters Creek in front of Empress Falls using the stepping stones. (These creeks may not be passable after rain)

Empress Falls

Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and tumbles down a series of cliffs to a sandy pool. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest.

(0.56km) Empress Falls Crossing → Lodore Falls

70 m

2 mins

0m

-9m

Hard track

Continue straight: From in front of Empress Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek to the left. After passing the ‘Track’ sign (pointing back up to the falls), the walk heads down the steps (with handrail). Soon the steps lead to the base of a wide cascade – Sylvia Falls.
From Sylvia Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek and handrail to the left. Soon after heading down a staircase, the walk comes to a creek crossing at the base of Lodore Falls. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Lodore Falls

Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.

Sylvia Falls

Sylvia Falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek is a lovely tall cascade. The falls are in a deep sandstone canyon with mossy walls. The stairs and handrail pass closely to these falls, helping walkers get nice and close. From near the top of the falls, there is a great view down the valley looking between the canyon walls.

Maps for the Conservation Hut to Empress Falls walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Conservation Hut to Empress Falls

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

1.1 km

Time

1 Hr

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)

Signs

Clearly signposted (1/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

350m of this walk has short steep hills and another 110m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (90m) is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 500m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 55m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 560m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 380m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 180m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 470m of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 85m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 290m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 270m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Conservation Hut to Empress Falls walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bmnp-chtef
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.